Cameron County lifts several restrictions

Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño Jr. held a news conference earlier today to discuss the reopening of several establishments impacted by COVID-19 pandemic regulations. 

The county extended its mandatory shelter-in-place order until May 4, with the lifting of certain restrictions, according to a news release from the county judge posted Monday. 

Changes in restrictions include that religious and worship services may be engaged via video, teleconference, other remote methods, or by drive-thru while following social distancing and face mask requirements, according to the news release.

“With regards to the church services, let me reiterate, we’re reviewing the governor’s order …. and we want to see whether or not we are in conflict,” Treviño said. “I don’t believe that we are by implementing the drive-thru.”

Golfing and tennis at private clubs, restricted to members or residents only, will also be allowed with certain provisions, such as practicing social distancing, having one person per golf cart, no touching flags or ball washers, no rakes in sand traps, no person-to-person contact, among others. 

Starting Friday, non-essential businesses will be allowed to offer shopping through pick-up, curbside or delivery via online or phone orders while following strict compliance with terms required by the Texas Department of State Health Services. 

The county issued a clarification Tuesday on services at medical and dental practices.

Medical and dental practices may begin performing elective procedures while following social distancing and face mask requirements, and with a limit of no more than 10 patients gathered.

“With regards to medical and dental practices, that is also mandated and controlled by the Texas State Dental Board and the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners,” Treviño said during the news conference.

He said the county is reviewing different areas to try to lessen or remove some restrictions.

The county judge also provided COVID-19 statistics for Cameron County. As of earlier today, there are 321 positive cases, 295 negative and 127 have been cleared. 

Cameron County Public Health confirmed the eighth and ninth COVID-19-related deaths in the county in a news release Tuesday.

The cases involve a 55-year-old male and an 89-year-old female residing in the Veranda Nursing Home in Harlingen, bringing the total number of deaths at the facility to five. Both individuals were previously reported cases. 

At the Veranda Nursing Home there are 26 employees and 56 residents who have tested positive for the virus, according to Treviño. Fifty-two employees and 41 residents have tested negative. 

Windsor Atrium, a nursing home in Harlingen, has 29 employees and 24 residents who have tested positive for the virus, including three deaths that have been confirmed. Five employees and three residents have tested negative. 

COVID-19 clusters in the county include the two nursing homes in Harlingen, which make up 135 of the total confirmed cases; individuals and their immediate family contacts, which make up 69 of the total cases; non-immediate family contacts, which make up 33 of the total cases; and 84 individual cases. 

The breakdown of the total number of cases by municipalities:

–Brownsville, 99 cases and 63 recovered;

–Harlingen, 140 cases and 25 recovered;

–La Feria, six cases and four recovered;

–Laguna Vista, one case;

–Los Fresnos, 19 cases and 11 recovered;

–Port Isabel, three cases;

–Rancho Viejo, four cases and four recovered;

–Rio Hondo, 13 cases and three recovered;

–San Benito, 28 cases and 13 recovered; and

–Santa Rosa, eight cases and four recovered.

The 11 most recent cases confirmed by Cameron County Public Health in the news release Tuesday include:

–an 87-year-old male from Harlingen, which was a community transfer case;

–an 88-year-old female from Harlingen, linked to a previous case;

–a 93-year-old female from Harlingen, linked to a previous case;

–a 93-year-old female from Harlingen, linked to a previous case;

–a 25-year-old male from Harlingen, linked to a previous case;

–an 85-year-old male from Harlingen, linked to a previous case;

–a 90-year-old male from Harlingen, linked to a previous case;

–a 51-year-old female from Los Fresnos, linked to a previous case;

–a 51-year-old female from Rio Hondo, linked to a previous case;

–a 28-year-old female from San Benito, linked to a previous case; and

–a 59-year-old female from San Benito, linked to a previous case.

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